"You've returned." Maotelus said when he saw the group.

"We want to ask you something Lord Maotelus," Arthur began as he held up the Requiem. "Do you know anything about this?"

"I have not seen this anywhere. Where did you find it?"

"In a tower near Aball." Velvet answered.

"There isn't a tower near Aball."

"So that confirms it." Magilou crossed her arms.

"There are two names we wanted to see if you knew." Arthur continued "Lucilius and Ma'ano."

"I'm afraid I haven't heard of Lucilius before. However, Ma'ano sounds familiar."

"Really?" Velvet asked.

"I believe your friend there could give you some answers." He gestured to Vanessa.

"What do you mean?!" Vanessa said in shock.

"The book you have. The book of the purple Phoenix."

"Purple Phoenix?" Eizen asked.

"I...um..."

"You haven't told them yet, have you?" Maotelus looked at Vanessa.

"I...I..."

"Vanessa?" Sorey asked worried.

"Just leave me alone!" She ran out of the temple. Sorey and Mikleo went after her with Rose right behind them.

"What was that about Maotelus?!" Velvet said in anger.

"Laphicet that's enough." Eleanor said.

"What did you say Eleanor?" Velvet turned to Eleanor. "Why did you call him Laphicet?"

"Because that's who he is."

"It's true." Magilou chimed in.

"Velvet..." Maotelus began.

"No. Just hold on. You're Laphicet?" Velvet interrupted him.

"Velvet, what's wrong?" Arthur asked.

"Phi...is that really you?"

"It's been a long time Velvet." Maotelus' formed glowed and reverted back to when Velvet knew him. A young malak who had barely known anything beyond following orders until he joined her. "Are you mad?"

"No, it's just..." Velvet turned her back and followed Vanessa out of the temple.

"Velvet?!" Alisha ran after Velvet with Edna and Lailah following her.

Maotelus, no, Laphicet had sorrow written on his face. He kept his identity a secret for too long just because he was worried about Velvet's reaction. Eleanor with Eizen and Magilou explained to the rest of the group that Laphicet had become the fifth Empyrean after Innominat. The entire journey they were a part of ended with Velvet sacrificing herself with Innominat to stop the scarlet moon. Laphicet, for the first time in years, took a step out of the temple and went to confront Velvet.

She was sitting on a rock with Alisha next to her, Edna not really caring, and Lailah trying to cheer her up. Laphicet apologized, he knew it would take a while for her to fully accept what had happened. She went over to him and hugged him, it had been so long for him, but for her, it hadn't been that long. Before she ended up there, she had learned the truth for why her brother in law killed Laphi, and she had no idea what to do.

After meeting Sorey and the others, she had nearly forgotten about the fact she wasn't from that time. Being her old friends again made it feel like nothing had changed between them. She was happy to know her brother in law wasn't around causing trouble and that the future was exactly how she thought it would be. Laphicet was nearly crying, despite being an Empyrean, he was same little Laphicet as he was before.

Lailah slowly dragged Alisha away as Edna went the other way to inside the temple where the others were waiting. Velvet needed her moment.

Vanessa wasn't in such a great spot. She was crying and nothing Sorey tried was making it any better. Rose suggested to give Vanessa some space but Sorey persisted to ask what was wrong. Vanessa didn't know how to tell them, she had kept it a secret for so long. Sure she had moments where she almost revealed it, but she caught herself each time.

She held onto her book tightly and calmed herself down, she told them that she would tell them everything when they went to the next inn. It was time they knew, and with Laphicet around, she couldn't keep it a secret anymore.

(Well, that's the first chapter to the Phoenix arc, to those who want to know about the whole Lucilius deal, you'll have to wait until the final arc. I did plan to have the new cover up before I posted this, but my schedule said no. So, the new cover might be up by next week or later in September. Anyways, input is always appreciated. I'll be talking more with Vanessa about how she wants this arc to go, so the next chapter might be in the late September area.)